Bulls' coach search in slow lane

Team taking time in researching possible candidates

May 27, 2010|By K.C. Johnson | Tribune staff reporter

Owns a 284-286 career mark over six full and parts of two other seasons with the Trail Blazers and 76ers. A Chicago native, he is known as a players' coach and spent last season as an assistant on Coach of the Year Scott Brooks' staff in Oklahoma City. His point-guard playing days could serve Derrick Rose well. (ERIC SEALS, McClatchy-Tribune)

On May 4, Gar Forman said the Bulls' coaching search "could drag into June, maybe July."

He wasn't kidding.

Though the Bulls either have talked informally or conducted extensive background on at least Lawrence Frank, Tom Thibodeau, Maurice Cheeks, Elston Turner, Kevin McHale, Brian Shaw and Dwane Casey, sources close to several prospective candidates said no interviews are scheduled.

Even plans to fly to Boston and formally interview Celtics assistant Thibodeau, who will receive an offer from the Hornets, were scuttled after the Magic rallied to win the last two games in the Eastern Conference finals.

With LeBron James telling some confidantes he's intrigued by the triangle offense, some have speculated Lakers assistant Shaw could emerge as a serious candidate. He, too, is busy with the conference finals.